Charter captains receive relief grant after hurricane losses

MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — Charter captains are getting some relief after facing revenue losses from last year’s hurricane season. A local nonprofit secured grant money to distribute to recreational and commercial fishermen in Manatee and Sarasota counties.

Finding the best spot is always the key when Captain David White is fishing.

“Well, if they’re snook out there, you know, those baits in the water, you’ll see them hit right on the surface,” he said.

White has been in the industry for a decade, but he started his own business last September, right before Hurricanes Helene and Milton. White said the impact from the storms led to a loss of nearly $50,000.

“I mean, our whole economy here is based on tourism. And of course, there were no rental properties that were open, so it was a rough three or four months for sure,” he explained.

He applied for a grant that would help make up for the losses. Recently, White learned he would receive more than $1,100 from Suncoast Waterkeeper, a nonprofit with the mission to protect and restore our waters.

“Our insurance is about three grand a year. And for me, that’s due in September. So for me, it’s going to go toward my insurance for the year,” he said.

But he’s not the only one. There are eight other charter captains who are receiving grant money, all from Sarasota and Manatee counties.

“I know most of them. Most of them have kids. One guy yesterday, I mean, he’s got a brand-new baby,” he said.

Suncoast Waterkeeper applied to the International Game Fish Association’s (IGFA) Worldwide Anglers Relief Fund and was awarded $10,000 to distribute.

“Each captain had a different story about how this helps them. A lot of them have families, and this has been really helpful in either moving their kid to college or seeing their little ones into the new school year,” he said.

White said any amount of money helps.

“It’s $1,100 that I didn’t have. So it’s a lot. And just to know that they care,” he said.

He’s optimistic this storm season will be better than last year and is thankful he has a community to support him.

This is the first time the nonprofit Suncoast Waterkeeper has received this grant to help local fishing professionals. Next week, the rest of the grant recipients will receive their money.